Aurelio return boost for Benitez
Aug 25 2007 by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo
LEFT-BACK Fabio Aurelio is ready to help Liverpool overcome the setback of missing out on Gabriel Heinze after returning to training.
Aurelio has been missing for six months since rupturing his Achilles tendon.
But the Brazilian returned to full training this week, and is now a matter of weeks from being available for selection.
The timing of his return is good news for Benitez, who admits he'll struggle to find a new left-back before August 31.
The fall-out from the Heinze case hasn’t ended the open warfare between Liverpool and Manchester United – with Sir Alex Ferguson now calling for a tapping up inquiry.
Ferguson – who has been at the receiving end of numerous allegations but never charged throughout his career – says United are ‘investigating’ Liverpool.
Liverpool targeted the Argentine left-back after United gave Heinze a fax releasing him for £6.8m
It was the existence of this much publicised document – widely distributed by Heinze’s agent – which prompted Liverpool’s bid for the player.
United now claim they sold Heinze to Real Madrid for £8m, but the fee is believed to be nearer £5m.
Earlier this week, the Premier League backed United and blocked a move to Anfield, infuriating Benitez.
Now Ferguson wants further action, saying: "We are investigating Liverpool's role in this. We are not letting them off.
"David Gill is working on it at the moment and he'll get to the bottom of it."
Relations between the north west giants have always been prickly, but the antagonism between officials from both clubs are now reaching unprecedented levels.
Benitez was staggered by some of the remarks made by chief executive David Gill during the Premier League hearing.
But with the league backing United, Ferguson is now clearly confident enough to try and test the hierarchy’s resolve to take the matter further.
Ferguson knows all about tapping up allegations, of course.
He was famously accused by one his own players, Jaap Stam, shortly before selling the player to Lazio.
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard was asked to join United by individuals claiming to speak on behalf of Ferguson in 2004, and even in recent weeks, Newcastle striker Michael Owen has been approached and told United are keen to sign him.
It's unclear whether the can of worms Ferguson is planning to open will also include these cases.
Meanwhile, Liverpool headed to Sunderland for today's early kick -off without club captain Gerrard.
The inspirational midfielder is hoping to recover from a broken toe in time to face Toulouse on Tuesday.
CLICKY - The Echo
Aug 25 2007 by Chris Bascombe, Liverpool Echo
LEFT-BACK Fabio Aurelio is ready to help Liverpool overcome the setback of missing out on Gabriel Heinze after returning to training.
Aurelio has been missing for six months since rupturing his Achilles tendon.
But the Brazilian returned to full training this week, and is now a matter of weeks from being available for selection.
The timing of his return is good news for Benitez, who admits he'll struggle to find a new left-back before August 31.
The fall-out from the Heinze case hasn’t ended the open warfare between Liverpool and Manchester United – with Sir Alex Ferguson now calling for a tapping up inquiry.
Ferguson – who has been at the receiving end of numerous allegations but never charged throughout his career – says United are ‘investigating’ Liverpool.
Liverpool targeted the Argentine left-back after United gave Heinze a fax releasing him for £6.8m
It was the existence of this much publicised document – widely distributed by Heinze’s agent – which prompted Liverpool’s bid for the player.
United now claim they sold Heinze to Real Madrid for £8m, but the fee is believed to be nearer £5m.
Earlier this week, the Premier League backed United and blocked a move to Anfield, infuriating Benitez.
Now Ferguson wants further action, saying: "We are investigating Liverpool's role in this. We are not letting them off.
"David Gill is working on it at the moment and he'll get to the bottom of it."
Relations between the north west giants have always been prickly, but the antagonism between officials from both clubs are now reaching unprecedented levels.
Benitez was staggered by some of the remarks made by chief executive David Gill during the Premier League hearing.
But with the league backing United, Ferguson is now clearly confident enough to try and test the hierarchy’s resolve to take the matter further.
Ferguson knows all about tapping up allegations, of course.
He was famously accused by one his own players, Jaap Stam, shortly before selling the player to Lazio.
Liverpool skipper Steven Gerrard was asked to join United by individuals claiming to speak on behalf of Ferguson in 2004, and even in recent weeks, Newcastle striker Michael Owen has been approached and told United are keen to sign him.
It's unclear whether the can of worms Ferguson is planning to open will also include these cases.
Meanwhile, Liverpool headed to Sunderland for today's early kick -off without club captain Gerrard.
The inspirational midfielder is hoping to recover from a broken toe in time to face Toulouse on Tuesday.
CLICKY - The Echo
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